WOFF2 (web font)
Also known as: .woff2 file, Web Open Font Format 2, woff2 vs woff
WOFF2 is the current web-font format and the successor to WOFF. It uses stronger compression to make font files smaller, so webpages download custom typefaces faster. It is the format most modern websites serve by default.
- Successor to WOFF with stronger compression
- Smaller files and faster web page loads
- The default web-font format on modern sites
Why WOFF2 is the web default
WOFF2 wraps a TTF or OTF font for the web, like WOFF before it, but applies more efficient compression. The smaller file means a custom typeface loads faster, which is why current sites serve WOFF2 as their first choice.
Browsers load it through CSS, so visitors see the intended font without installing anything on their device.
WOFF2 vs WOFF
Both deliver the same font outlines; the difference is compression. WOFF2 produces noticeably smaller files than WOFF, improving page-load speed. Sites commonly list WOFF2 first and fall back to WOFF for older browsers.
As a web-delivery format, WOFF2 affects how quickly a page renders rather than how much space your phone or computer uses.